Calculating-machine.



N. R. LONG. CALCULATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 11111.13, 1911.

V 1,016,572. Patented Feb.6, 1912.

2'S1IEETSSHEBT 1.

@j? 600 14500 z zzo y I? 5 lwfl'a'a' :11: llllllll N. R. LONG. CALCULATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN,13,1911.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

I a 1 l I I 1 z r 1 1 I 1 I n n 1 llllx lllll .of the United States, residing UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NIM- R. LONG, OF TROY, MISSOURI.

CALCULATING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed-January 13, 1911. Serial No. 602,466.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NIM R. Lone, a citizen at Troy, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Calculating- Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to calculating machines, and particularly to machines that comprise a decimal bar which is adapted to be shifted relatively to the number table or tabular sheet of the machine so as to increase or diminish the value, uantity or amount which the numbers in time various columns of the table designate.

One object of my invention is to provide a machine of the type referred to which is sodesigned that the decimal bar can be shifted or manipulated simultaneously with the number table and by the same hand that the operator uses for moving said number table.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type referred to in which the decimal bar is provided with adjustable pointers that can be moved into different positions on the decimal bar so as to change the value of the numbers in some of the columns of the table without changing the value of the numbers in other columns of the table, thereby enabling one table to be used for a number of different rates.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compact machine of the type referred to which is so designed that a comparatively long number table or tabular sheet can be used.

Another object is to provide a calculating machine of novel construction which is so designed that the flexible number table or tabular sheet is' always kept taut. And another object is to provide a calculating machine havin means of novel construction for automatical y arresting the movement of the rollers on which the flexible number sheet is mounted when said number sheet reaches its limit of movement in either direction.

Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front elevational view of a tax-calculating machine constructed in accordance'with my invention;

' Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of said machine; Fi 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on t eline 33 of Fig. 1; Flg. 3 is a detail view of one of the rollers to which the number table is connected and illustrates the means which automatically arrests the movement of said roller when the number sheet reaches its limit of movement in one direction; Fig. 4 is a vertical elevational view of the machine with the front wall of the easing broken away so as to more clearly illustrate the construction of the machine; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3; Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on the lines 66 and 77 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the decimal bar; and Fig. 9 is a perspective View of one of the adjustable pointers on the decimal bar.

I have herein illustrated my invention embodied in a tax-calculating machine, but I do not Wish it to be understood that the invention is limited to tax-calculating machines for certain features are applicable to various other kinds of computing machines.

Referring to-the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, l designates the number table or tabular sheet of the machine which is provided with a plurality of vertical columns of numbers, the numbers in the lefthand column 1 of the table herein shown designating the valuation of property,'the numbers in the next column 2 to the right designating the road tax on the valuations specified in column 1, figured at a certain rate, the numbers in the next column 3 to the right designating the county tax figured at a certain rate, the numbers in the next column 4 to the right designating the State tax figured at a certain rate, and the numbers in the next column 5 to the right designating the total tax 011 the valuat-ion stated in column 1. This number table may either consist of a comparatively wide flexible strip of suitable material or it may be composed of a. number of separate narrow strips, as herein shown, each of which is provided with a vertical column of numbers, the latter construction being preferable because it enables any column of the table to be varied or changed without changing the entire table.

The number table or tabular sheet A has its opposite ends connected to a pair of rollers 6 and 7 that are arranged inside of a casing B, and means is provided for rotating said rollers in either direction so as to cause the table A to travel past a horizontally arranged sight opening 8 formed in one wall of the casing B and thus expose to view one horizontal row of numbers 011 the table. In the embodiment of my invention herein shown, the sight opening is formed in a door 9 that forms part of the front wall of the casing, and said opening is provided at its left-hand end with a vertically disposed portion 8 through which some of the lefthand numerals of several numbers in column 1 can be seen at the same time. Column 1 contains numbers from 10,000 to 9,990,000 but the casing covers the four ciphers of said numbers so that the numbers which are exposed to view through the vertical portion 8 of the sight opening are 1 to 999.

The rollers 6 and 7 are preferably hollow and are mounted on horizon...liy arranged shafts 6 and 7 journaled in the end walls of the casing B, and the means herein shown for rotating said rollers consists of a gear 10 that meshes with gears 6* and 7 on the shafts 6 and 7*, respectively, said driving gear 10 being connected to a horizontally arranged shaft 10 that is provided at one end with ahandle or knob 10. which is located outside of the casing B. Instead of rigidly connecting the rollers 6 and 7 to their shafts I prefer to mount them loosely on their shafts and arrange a yielding member between each roller and the gear that is connected to the shaft of the roller so as to exert a slight tension 011 the flexible number table A and thus keep said table taut. In the construction herein shown, a coiled spring 11, which is connected at one end to the roller 6 and at its opposite end to the gear 6", tends to turn said roller in one direction, and a coiled spring 12 which is connected at one end to the roller 7 and at its opposite end to the gear 7", tends to move said roller 7 in the opposite direction, each of the shafts 6 and 7 a being provided with a stop '13 that projects into an elongated slot 14 in the hub of the roller mounted thereon, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to limit the movement of the roller relatively to its shaft.

The decimal bar 15 of the machine is reciprocatingly mounted in a horizontal guideway on the door 9 of the casing B, as shown in Fig. 1, said guideway being so arranged that the decimal bar can be moved longitudinally of the horizontal portion of the sight opening 8 in the casing. Said decimal bar is provided with pointers 16 which represent decimal points and also a wing 16 that normally covers the four ciphers of the number in column 1 that can be seen through the horizontal portion of the sight opening. For example, when the decimal bar is in its normal position and the table A is adjusted in such a position that the number 1,000,000 in column 1 alines with the horizontal sight opening, as shown in Fig. 1, the wing 1G on the decimal bar covers the four righthand ciphers of said number, thus leaving the number 100 exposed, and the pointers 16 on said decimal bar occupy such positions that the exposed number in column 2 represents 17 c, the number in colnum 3 represents the number in column 4; represents. $1.45, and the number in column 5 represents $2.22. By shifting the decimal bar one point to the right the ex posed number in column 1 is increased to 1000, the number in column 2 is increased to $1.70, the number in column 3 is increased to $6.00, the number in column 4 is increased to $14.50, and the number in column 5 is increased to $22.20. If it is desired to calculate the valued at $99.00 the drive gear 10 is rotated so as to move the number table A and thus bring the number 990000 of column 1 into alinement with the horizontal sight opening 8, the wing 16 on the decimal bar covering the four ciphers of said number and thus leaving the number 99 exposed to view. From the foregoing it will be seen that the taxes on property valued at from $1.00 to $9,990,000 can be calculated quickly on my machine by simply turning the handle 10 in the proper direction and shifting the decimal bar 15.

A coiled contractile spring 17, which is taxes on property connected at one end to the decimal bar 15 and at its opposite end to one wall of the guideway in which said bar is mounted, tends to move said bar to the left, and a stationary stop 18 is provided for cooperating with ,notches 19 in the upper edge of the decimal bar to hold said bar in adjusted position, the bar being forced upwardly and held in engagement with said stop by means of a flat leaf spring 20 arranged in the guideway of the decimal bar, as shown in Fig. 1.

0n the outer end of the decimal bar 15 is a head or hand-piece 21 thatis located adjacent the handle or knob 10 on the shaft of the drive gear 10, said 'knob and hand-piece being located near enough to each other to enable the operator to rest his hand on the head 21 of the decimal bar and thus move said bar downwardly to release it from the stop 18 and also shift it laterally to the right when he is using said hand to manipulate the mechanism that moves the number table or tabulating sheet A. This is a very desirable feature in a machine of this type for it enables the operator to manipulate the machine accurately with one hand while his other hand is being used for another purose.

Another desirable feature of the machine herein shown is that the pointers 16 can be adjusted relatively to the decimal bar and thus change the valuation of the numbers in either of the columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the number table when the decimal bar is in its normal position. For example, if it is desired to change the rate at which the road tax is figured from 17 per 100 to $1.70 per 100, the pointer 16 that cooperates with the column 2 can be moved one point to the right so as to locate said pointer between the numerals l and 7 when the decimal bar is in its normal position, or if it is desired to change the rate from 17 to 17 mills per 100, said pointer can be moved one point to the left. By constructing the decimal bar in this way, namely, providing it with adjustable pointers, I do not have to change the numbers in columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 when the rate of taxation is changed by 10 or any multiple thereof. Consequently, I am able to use the same number table for a plurality of different rates, or I can change the rate of one tax without going to the necessity of substituting an entire new number table or even a new column ofnumbers if the table is composed of separate strips, as herein shown. The pointers 16 can be mounted on the decimal bar in various ways but I prefer to construct the decimal bar and the pointers in the manner illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the decimal bar being provided at its upper edge with a substantially V-shaped groove 22, and the pointers 16 consisting of substantially C-shaped metal clips that fit over said bar and-qproject into notches 23 in the upper and'lower edges of same. Part of the front wall of the guideway in which the decimal bar is mounted is formed by a plate 24 that operates to hold the pointers 16 in adjusted position on the decimal bar, said plate being detachably connected to the door 9 of.the casing so that it can be removed whenever it is desired to adjust the pointers 16.

To eliminate the possibility of the number table A being torn away from the rollers 6 and 7, as would occur if the table was moved too far in 'either direction, I have provided means for automatically arresting the movement of the rollers 6 and 7 when the table A reaches its limit of movement in either direction. Said means consists of pivotally' mounted dogs 25 and 26 arranged inside of the rollers 6 and 7, respectively, in such a manner that they pass through slots in the rollers and strike against stationary stops or abutments when the table A reaches its limit of movement. The table A holds said dogs inside of the rollers when said table extends around the rollers but as soon as the table is unwound from the roller 6 the dog 25 in said roller passes through the slot therein and strikes the shaft 10 and thus arrests the movement of-said roller. When the table is unwound from the roller 7 the dog 26 in said roller projects through the slot therein and strikes a stationary stop 27 on. the bottom of the casing B.

The strips which form the number table A can be connected to the rollers in various waysbut I prefer to provide each roller with a longitudinally extending groove 28 in which removable clamping plates 29 are arranged, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the ends of the strips being inserted under said clamping plates and preferably in engagement with a piece of sand-paper 30. or other suitable material that is arranged in the groove in the roller, as shown in Fig. 7.

The casing B is preferably formed from thin sheets of metal and the door 9 is provided with a card-holder 31 arranged above the sight opening 8 so that heading-cards can be mounted in said holder in alinement with the various columns of the number table.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A calculating machine provided with a number table, means for moving said table, a spring-actuated decimal bar that cooperates with said table,'and means for retain ing said bar in adjusted position. I

2. A calculating machine provided with a reciprocating decimal bar, yielding means for moving said bar in one direction, a stop which holds said bar in adjusted position, and means for holding said bar normally in engagement with said stop. a

3. A calculating machine provided with a shiftable decimal bar, a device that retains said bar in adjusted position, and yielding means forv normally holding said bar in engagement with said device.

4. A calculating machine provided with a decimal bar that is adapted to be shifted into different positions, means for automatically retaining said bar in adjusted position, and means for restoring said bar to normal position, or moving it in a reverse direction to that in which it was shifted, when it is released from said retaining means.

5. A calculating machine provided with a shiftable decimal bar having notches, a spring that tends to move said'bar in one direction, a stop that cooperates with the notches in said bar, and yielding means for normally holding said bar in engagement with said stop.

6. A calculating machine having a casing provided with a guideway, a reciprocating decimal bar loosely mounted in sald guideway, and provided on its upper edge with notches, a stationary stop that coiiperates with said notches to hold the bar in adjusted position, a leaf spring that exerts up ward pressure on said bar so as to hold it in engagement with said stop, and a contractile spring that moves said bar in one direction when it is released.

7. A calculating machine, comprising a casing, a movable number table arranged inside of said casing, means arranged on the outside of said casing for operating said table, a shiftable decimal bar mounted in a 'uideway in said casing and having one end 0 terminating ad acent the operatmg means for said number table, means for retaining said decimal bar in shifted position, and means which tends to move said bar backto normal position when it is released from said retaining means.

8. A calculating machine having a casing,

a number table arranged inside of said cas engagement with said stop.

9. In a calculating machine, a number table provided with columns of numbers, a decimal bar arranged transversely of said columns and provided with notches, and adjustable devices mounted in the notches on said bar to represent decimal points.

10. In a calculating machine, a number table provided with columns of numbers, a decimal bar that extends transversely of said columns, said bar being provided with notches and also having a groove on one of its edges, and adjustable pointers on said bar consisting of substantially C-shaped devices that fit in the notches in said bar and project into the groove therein.

11. In a calculating machine, a casing, a flexible number table arranged inside of said casing, rollers to which said table is connected and on which the table is WOllIid, devices arranged inside of said rollers which move outwardly beyond the periphery of same when said table is unwound from the rollers, and stops that cooperate with said devices to limit the movement of the rollers.

12. In a calculating machine, a casing, rollers arranged inside of said casing, a flexible number table connected to said rollers, shafts on which said rollers are loosely mounted, pins on said shafts elongated slots on the hubs of said rollers which receive said pins and thus permit a slight movement of said rollers relatively to their shafts, gears connected to said shafts, a coiled spring arranged between each roller and the gear on the shaft of the roller, and a drive member meshing with said gears.

13. A calculating machine, comprising a casing, rollers arranged in said casing, a flexible number table connected to said rollers, means arranged outside of the casing for operating said rollers, one wall of the casing being provided with a sight opening through which some of the numberson said table can be seen, a spring-actuated decimal bar arranged adjacent the sight opening in the casing, a hand-piece 011 said barthat is located in close enough proximity to the means which operates the rollers to enable the operator to engage said hand-piece and thus shift the decimal bar with the same hand he uses for turning the rollers and while said hand is on the operating means for the rollers, means for taking up the slack in the number table, and means for automatically arresting the movement of said rollers when the number table reaches its limit of movement in either direction.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 3d day of January, 1911.

111M R. LONG.

Witnesses:

J. V. MOXLEY, PORTER JONES. 

